Abstract: Duplex polynucleotides containing damage or errors are detected with hindered intercalating compounds which are capable of intercalating only in the presence of such damage or error. Conditions characterized by the presence of polynucleotide errors or damage are treated with such compounds that are capable of catalyzing polynucleotide cleavage with light.

Abstract: Duplex polynucleotides containing damage or errors are detected with hindered intercalating compounds which are capable of intercalating only in the presence of such damage or error. Conditions characterized by the presence of polynucleotide errors or damage are treated with such compounds that are capable of catalyzing polynucleotide cleavage with light.

Abstract: Duplex polynucleotides containing damage or errors are detected with hindered intercalating compounds which are capable of intercalating only in the presence of such damage or error. Conditions characterized by the presence of polynucleotide errors or damage are treated with such compounds that are capable of catalyzing polynucleotide cleavage with light.

Abstract: Duplex polynucleotides containing damage or errors are detected with hindered intercalating compounds which are capable of intercalating only in the presence of such damage or error. Conditions characterized by the presence of polynucleotide errors or damage are treated with such compounds that are capable of catalyzing polynucleotide cleavage with light.

Abstract: Duplex polynucleotides containing damage or errors are detected with hindered intercalating compounds which are capable of intercalating only in the presence of such damage or error. Conditions characterized by the presence of polynucleotide errors or damage are treated with such compounds that are capable of catalyzing polynucleotide cleavage with light. Suitable compound include compounds of the formula:Rh(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)(R.sub.3).sup.3+where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently aryl, heteroaryl, substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl of 1 to 5 rings, and R.sub.3 is a group of the formula ##STR1## where x and z are each independently an integer from 1 to 4 and y is an integer from 1 to 2, and R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are each independently H--, halo, HO--, H.sub.2 N--, CN--, O.sub.2 N--, HS--, O.sub.3 S--, O.sub.3 SO--, --COOH, --CONH.sub.2, R, RO--, RNH--, R.sub.a R.sub.b N--, RO.sub.3 S--, RO.sub.3 SO--, --COOR, --CONHR, or --CONR.sub.a R.sub.b, where R, R.sub.a and R.sub.